Severe subfreezing weather is forecast. Water pipes in our apartment community may freeze and break unless we ALL act quickly. If any pipes freeze, we may have to cut off the water to entire buildings. If there are widespread pipe breakages across the city, it could be days
before we can get hot and cold water back on in your unit. So please help.
IMMEDIATE ACTION.
Please take the following precautions as soon as you read this notice!
1. Leave the heat on 24 hours a day at a temperature setting of no less than 50 degrees. Keep all windows closed. Be sure to leave open the cabinet doors under the kitchen sink and bathroom sink(s) to allow heat to get to the plumbing.
2. Immediately do one of the following, depending on the severity of the freeze: drip all your water 24 hours a day at a steady drip of about ____ drops per second. This includes cold and hot water in your kitchen sink, bathroom sinks, bath tubs, showers, wet bar sinks, etc. OR run all your water 24 hours a day at a steady, pencil-lead size stream. This includes cold and hot water in your kitchen sink, bathroom sinks, bath tubs, showers, wet bar sinks, etc.
3. If you have washer/dryer units in your apartment, especially those located on any outside patio or in any outside closet,
follow these steps to help prevent those water lines from freezing and breaking:
• Turn both the hot and cold water lines off.
• Disconnect these water lines from the back of your washing machine.
• Place both water lines into the drain pipe behind the washing machine.
• Turn both water lines back on so that [check one] a steady drip or a steady pencil-lead size stream is coming out 24 hours a day.
• When you want to wash clothes, remember to reconnect the water lines.
4. Leave the faucets dripping or running until further notice. We will notify you when to stop.
5. Leave all drains open, including sinks and bathtubs. Bring in potted or hanging plants.
6. Notify management ASAP if you notice any water running from a building or from under your walls.
7. Remember to be careful about ice and snow on steps and sidewalks.
As authorized in the lease, the management may be entering the apartments for spot checks. When others in the city drip their faucets, water pressure may drop, and you may have to open your faucets some more.
Thank you for your prompt and continuous cooperation regarding this serious problem.